A MAJOR appeal has been launched to give a New Forest community centre a much-anticipated £1.5m makeover.

Leaders of Lymington Community Association have devised a campaign that aims to transform the group’s ageing headquarters.

They want to bring the centre “into the 21st century” by carrying out a raft of improvements to the two-storey complex – part of which dates from the 1740s.

The building, used by about 4,500 people a week, is said to be in desperate need of refurbishment.

Association members say the proposed alterations will help it compete with other organisations by creating a unique hub boasting state-of-the-art facilities.

The scheme is due to be completed in stages by the year 2020 and has been christened 20:20 Vision.

Under the plans the historic Malt Hall cinema and theatre will be equipped with a new box office and tiered seating, providing people sitting near the back of the auditorium with a better view of films and plays.

A corridor linking the Malt Hall with the entrance to the centre will be converted into an open plan art and exhibition area.

The cafe will be replaced by a restaurant with a landscaped courtyard and the Phoenix Room will be used to provide a new home for a pre-school based at the centre, enabling its existing premises, the Normandy Room to take on a multi-purpose role.

Association bosses are hoping to obtain grants towards the cost of the scheme, which also includes a new first-floor function room.

Supporters of the ambitious and far-reaching project include the Vicar of Lymington, the Rev Peter Salisbury.

He said: “The community centre acts as a focus for the people of Lymington – they all come here at some time for the services we offer.

“It’s really important that we make these improvements and the facility is not allowed to just fade away. It’s an invaluable part of the social structure of Lymington.”

The centre is staging an exhibition of the proposals, which will be on display until 8pm on Saturday.